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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
3.5 stars.
Okay, so I've FINALLY finished this book. I'm not sure why it was such slow going for me, since there was humor, action, supernatural creatures, and romance. But something about it never fully captured my attention until the end.
I really liked Verity. It's not often that you come across a heroine of an urban fantasy novel that is a ballroom dancer, in addition to being a cryptozoologist, meaning she studied cryptids, or supernatural creatures. She was pretty hilarious, smart, loyal to her family, and very outspoken about the fact that she hated the prejudiced view the Covenant had of the cryptids. I thought she was a really great heroine, and following her on this adventure was definitely a fun time.
The side characters were varied and interesting. There was Dave, Verity's bogeyman boss. I never really liked him, and what he did in the end didn't really surprise me. Then there was Sarah, Verity's geeky cuckoo cousin. She was definitely intriguing, and quite funny. Finally, there was Dominic. I went from liking him, to hating him. And my feelings pretty much always matched Verity's, so Seanan McGuire did a fabulous job manipulating my feelings. Still, I think he'll turn out even better in the next novel of this series.
The plot of this book followed Verity as she met Dominic, and tried to change his viewpoint on the evilness of all cryptids. It also involved Verity's search to find out whether or not there was a dragon sleeping under New York, as female cryptids came up missing. There were a few twists, lots of action, and just enough drama and romance to keep me hooked. Still, the pace was somewhat slow at parts, and my interest did wane a bit. Once the action really got going, though, I found it hard to put the book down until it was over.
In the end, I don't think this was nearly as strong a series opener as Rosemary and Rue. I kept putting the book down, and failing to return to it as fast as I normally would. That being said, Verity made a great protagonist, and Dominic a complicated, and interesting romantic lead. I love all the themes of prejudice, and not judging by appearances. I do recommend checking out this book if you're looking for something a bit different, action-oriented, and funny.
Okay, so I've FINALLY finished this book. I'm not sure why it was such slow going for me, since there was humor, action, supernatural creatures, and romance. But something about it never fully captured my attention until the end.
I really liked Verity. It's not often that you come across a heroine of an urban fantasy novel that is a ballroom dancer, in addition to being a cryptozoologist, meaning she studied cryptids, or supernatural creatures. She was pretty hilarious, smart, loyal to her family, and very outspoken about the fact that she hated the prejudiced view the Covenant had of the cryptids. I thought she was a really great heroine, and following her on this adventure was definitely a fun time.
The side characters were varied and interesting. There was Dave, Verity's bogeyman boss. I never really liked him, and what he did in the end didn't really surprise me. Then there was Sarah, Verity's geeky cuckoo cousin. She was definitely intriguing, and quite funny. Finally, there was Dominic. I went from liking him, to hating him. And my feelings pretty much always matched Verity's, so Seanan McGuire did a fabulous job manipulating my feelings. Still, I think he'll turn out even better in the next novel of this series.
The plot of this book followed Verity as she met Dominic, and tried to change his viewpoint on the evilness of all cryptids. It also involved Verity's search to find out whether or not there was a dragon sleeping under New York, as female cryptids came up missing. There were a few twists, lots of action, and just enough drama and romance to keep me hooked. Still, the pace was somewhat slow at parts, and my interest did wane a bit. Once the action really got going, though, I found it hard to put the book down until it was over.
In the end, I don't think this was nearly as strong a series opener as Rosemary and Rue. I kept putting the book down, and failing to return to it as fast as I normally would. That being said, Verity made a great protagonist, and Dominic a complicated, and interesting romantic lead. I love all the themes of prejudice, and not judging by appearances. I do recommend checking out this book if you're looking for something a bit different, action-oriented, and funny.
Very's voice. Holy shit. She had me reading lines out loud to my husband so often because I couldn't help but laugh at some of the things she said. Loved this book.
This was great! I worried in the beginning that it would be too campy with the Aeslin mice and all the odd cryptids, but I was pleasantly surprised. It brought in just the right amount of humor and levity while still being a strong urban fantasy story.
All manner of monsters live amongst us and as a crypto-zoologist it's Verity's job to protect them. Unfortunately for her the Covenant, whose sworn duty is to kill cryptids, have sent an agent to New York to scout out the possibilities of purging the city of its monsters.
But it soon becomes apparent that something more is going on. Cryptids are disappearing and it seems they are being sacrificed in some sort of evil plot to resurrect a monster living in the sewers.
Discount Armageddon is pretty good urban fantasy. It occasionally dragged a little but overall was entertaining and worth the effort. It also has the most comically brilliant support characters in the Aeslin Mice who honestly make the book. It's worth reading for them alone.
But it soon becomes apparent that something more is going on. Cryptids are disappearing and it seems they are being sacrificed in some sort of evil plot to resurrect a monster living in the sewers.
Discount Armageddon is pretty good urban fantasy. It occasionally dragged a little but overall was entertaining and worth the effort. It also has the most comically brilliant support characters in the Aeslin Mice who honestly make the book. It's worth reading for them alone.
I adore Seanan McGuire's October Daye series, but I was really reluctant to pick this one up -- the cover was really off-putting and I wasn't in the mood for another Buffy clone. I'm SO glad I kept going.
Our Heroine, Verity, is a waitress in a strip club, a champion ballroom dancer, and a member of the cryptozoologist Price family, who has been secretly supporting the local population of cryptids for centuries. It's a lot for the character (and the reader) to take in, but where the story really shines is in Verity's relationships with the locals: yes, they might be a Dragon Princess, a Chupacabra, a Tanuki, etc., but they're people. People is people.
When she is approached by Dominic, a member of the rival Covenant of St. George (who hunt, rather than help, cryptids) she has to decide whether to work with him to investigate rumors of a Dragon living beneath Manhattan.
I was utterly charmed, in spite of myself, and I'll certainly be tracking down the rest of the series.
Our Heroine, Verity, is a waitress in a strip club, a champion ballroom dancer, and a member of the cryptozoologist Price family, who has been secretly supporting the local population of cryptids for centuries. It's a lot for the character (and the reader) to take in, but where the story really shines is in Verity's relationships with the locals: yes, they might be a Dragon Princess, a Chupacabra, a Tanuki, etc., but they're people. People is people.
When she is approached by Dominic, a member of the rival Covenant of St. George (who hunt, rather than help, cryptids) she has to decide whether to work with him to investigate rumors of a Dragon living beneath Manhattan.
I was utterly charmed, in spite of myself, and I'll certainly be tracking down the rest of the series.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
3.5 to 4 stars
Fun, quirky read that somehow combines ballroom dance with mythological critters.
Verity comes from a long line of cryptozoologists, but her true passion is for competitive dance. She's spending a year in Manhattan to pursue her dance career, as well as to keep an eye on the beasties living in the big city. When Dominic, a member of Covenant arrives in town, his kill all non-humans before even asking them how their day is going attitude gets on Very's nerves. Both Dominic and the sudden appearance of a snake cult in the sewers under the city have made her life extremely complicated.
Though it got a little draggy in places, and was over the top in others, overall Discount Armageddon was a fun adventure.
Fun, quirky read that somehow combines ballroom dance with mythological critters.
Verity comes from a long line of cryptozoologists, but her true passion is for competitive dance. She's spending a year in Manhattan to pursue her dance career, as well as to keep an eye on the beasties living in the big city. When Dominic, a member of Covenant arrives in town, his kill all non-humans before even asking them how their day is going attitude gets on Very's nerves. Both Dominic and the sudden appearance of a snake cult in the sewers under the city have made her life extremely complicated.
Though it got a little draggy in places, and was over the top in others, overall Discount Armageddon was a fun adventure.
4 1/2
I really liked this from the beginning to the end. Like the characters, the family, the romance, etc... It was a fun and light UF read yet had a lot of plot going on too. I think I might like this better than the October Daye series. I've kind of stopped there at book 7 since Toby is right where she should be, IMO and I don't want it to change. I really should go on there too but I think I will probably read through this first.
Definitely going to the next.
1/3 in and this is great! I wanted to cry with her at the dance competition. Have even laughed at points.
I really liked this from the beginning to the end. Like the characters, the family, the romance, etc... It was a fun and light UF read yet had a lot of plot going on too. I think I might like this better than the October Daye series. I've kind of stopped there at book 7 since Toby is right where she should be, IMO and I don't want it to change. I really should go on there too but I think I will probably read through this first.
Definitely going to the next.
1/3 in and this is great! I wanted to cry with her at the dance competition. Have even laughed at points.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes